A week, they say, is a long time in politics. Try surviving just five days as Prime Minister. You are Jim Hacker - the nation's No. 1. You decide the strategy. You make the decisions. Crises will occur, and it will be up to you to resolve them using all the flair, charm and intellect which the British public has come to associate with you.
As ever, you will receive the support, sympathy and respect of two loyal Civil Servants: Bernard Woolley, your Private Secretary, and Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Cabinet Secretary. Bernard will often try to provide a diplomatic edge to your more precipitate decisions - humour him, as he is really trying to help. As for loyal Humphrey, you will have to judge just where his loyalties lie: take note of his advice, but remember that Civil Servants are occasionally economical with the truth.
Your performance as international statesman and national leader will be closely monitored. Only you can ensure that the week does not end in Parliamentary chaos and scandal. Don't forget that diplomacy is about surviving until the next century - politics is about surviving until the end of the week!
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As ever, you will receive the support, sympathy and respect of two loyal Civil Servants: Bernard Woolley, your Private Secretary, and Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Cabinet Secretary. Bernard will often try to provide a diplomatic edge to your more precipitate decisions - humour him, as he is really trying to help. As for loyal Humphrey, you will have to judge just where his loyalties lie: take note of his advice, but remember that Civil Servants are occasionally economical with the truth.
Your performance as international statesman and national leader will be closely monitored. Only you can ensure that the week does not end in Parliamentary chaos and scandal. Don't forget that diplomacy is about surviving until the next century - politics is about surviving until the end of the week!